The ACN Match Review – Qpr (a)

The atmosphere

Nearly 2,000 fans made their way to Loftus Road, a record attendance for their women’s side, and the home supporters made a fair bit of racket – especially when the hosts were pushing for an equaliser in the latter stages of the game.

What was more pleasing to see, however, was the engagement between players and younger fans post-match, as replicated by Norwich each and every time they play at The Nest. There is a clear will and pride among this current crop of players up and down the country to grow the women’s game at all levels. Long may it continue.

The line-up

City now seem to be approaching what resembles a settled starting line-up, albeit they have been recently forced into a defensive reshuffle in the absence of the ever-reliable Ceri Flye. That has meant a switch to centre-back for captain and dependable full-back Anna Larkins, whose experience and ability to read the game was key to snuffing out more of the host’s attacks during a second half which was nervier than it should have been.

Hurrah moment

Is there anything better than seeing your keeper getting booked in the late stages of a match you’re winning by a single goal, only to continue to take their time with all their subsequent goal kicks anyway, safe in the knowledge there’s no way the referee is sending you off for time wasting?

Sarah Quantrill used all her experience and shithousery to get her team over the line. Lovely, lovely stuff.

Also, while we’re on the subject of goalkeepers, it’s always a delight to see an outfield player donning the gloves. After Francis-Pownall was given her marching orders, QPR’s Jo Blodgett performed admirably, even going full José Chilavert in extra time when swinging an attacking free-kick goalwards.

Booooooooo moment

Norwich could and maybe should have gone on to win this game with way more ease, especially after QPR were reduced to 10 players late in the first half. Maybe it was because the Rs dug in to try and steal a draw for long periods of the match, or that City struggled to break down some obdurate defending without moving the ball quickly enough to fully grasp the numerical advantage they were afforded for over 50 minutes. Whatever it was, City have the quality to have made it easier on themselves, but a win’s a win.

Hero of the match

Ellie Smith was very much in the habit of doing Ellie Smith things, first bursting onto a through ball just ahead of the QPR keeper, which saw her fouled and denied a goalscoring opportunity which led to their dismissal, before crowning her performance with a well-taken winning goal.

Smith’s energy and robust challenges are almost taken for granted now, but it’s the driving force for most of the positive play when she’s on the pitch. Oh, and she wears Copa Mundials too, so she must be a proper footballer.

Our post-match takeaway

It’s nine games unbeaten and yet you’re left with the feeling that there is more to come from a City side who didn’t quite go through the gears in West London. However, as head coach Herdman identified post-match, good sides find a way to win and Norwich did just that.

Sterner tests follow in the coming weeks, but if the togetherness and fortitude of this group are anything to go by, they’re well equipped to deal with those challenges.